Smugglers who held 115 people captive plead guilty

Updated 9:52 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house in the 14000 block of Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house in the 14000 block of Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 5 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 6 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 10 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 11 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 12 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 14 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 16 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 17 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 19 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 20 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 25 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Image 27 of 28

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country illegally -- at a squalid "stash house" in southeast Houston. Police say it appears to be human smuggling operation. less

More than 100 people were found Wednesday morning inside a house at 14711 Almeda School Road in Southeast Houston, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Police found the group, who are all presumed to be in the country ... more

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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Smugglers who held 115 people captive plead guilty

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They rode herd over a rancid house of horrors.

It was there in southwest Houston that 115 would-be immigrants from Central America had their clothing and shoes confiscated, were packed in side by side and threatened with death if they dared to escape.

Five men pleaded guilty Wednesday to their roles in holding what authorities said was a record number of people in the stash house on Old Almeda School Road, where the windows were boarded on the inside and doors locked from the outside.

The immigrants, who included young children, were held there temporarily after being sneaked into Houston.

While the people were held captive, their smugglers sought to pry exorbitantly higher fees from their families than originally agreed upon.

The pleas came less than a month after the men were arrested, lightning speed compared to most federal prosecutions.

Many will be sent home

The convictions come as part of an agreement that clears the way for the U.S. government to send the large number of captives back to their homelands rather than keeping them in custody as the case would have made its way through the justice system.

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It also means the smugglers face up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in July instead of the possibility of life without parole.

"We consider all the facets of a given case and seek a resolution designed to ensure justice is served for all involved," said Angela Dodge, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston. "The defendants, arrested less than a month ago, have all admitted their guilt and will be subject to the possibility of stiff federal prison sentences as a result of their criminal actions."

Relative called police

The smugglers, who are all from Michoacán, Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiring to harbor and transport immigrants into the country illegally and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Smugglers had demanded in March that a grandmother pay an additional $13,000 for the release of her daughter and two grandchildren, according to federal authorities.

She had already paid $15,000.

They threatened to "make her family disappear," if she didn't pay, according to court papers, but instead of paying up, the woman called Houston police who later raided the stash house and rescued everyone unharmed.

Homeland Security Investigations could not immediately say what will become of the captives, including how soon they might be back in their homelands or if any of them will be allowed to remain in the U.S.

Won't die in prison

Andres Sanchez, an attorney for one of the smugglers, Cesmas-Borja, said the agreement means that his client has a chance to one day return to Mexico instead of dying in an American prison.

"The risk of going forward with the hostage-taking case was too great," Sanchez said. "It was worth making a quicker decision."

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